Will Pentagon Audit Lead to Missing Money?

Detailing the specifics of waste or even graft that has transpired inside the military-industrial-security complex is a task that could get an investigator killed. The biggest cash cow is wrapped in the flag and exists within a culture where mere scrutiny lays open charges of being unpatriotic. Munitions merchants maintain a special relationship with Generals and Admirals who promote, protect or facilitate the continuous development and deployment of weapon systems. The revolving door of influence rewards compromised legislatures or bureaucrats with executive payoffs when they leave government service.

“Beyond the obvious accounting of assets—an estimated $2.4 trillion worth, including everything from infrastructure to personnel to weapon systems—an audit will create opportunities for careful consideration about the best use of military dollars. Even if the accounts show that every single penny that goes into the DOD is spent mindfully, wisely, and efficiently, there’s still cause to debate the ends that those pennies enable. The audit doesn’t obviate the need to have these discussions—it should spark them.”

Analyzing what policies military budgets need to fund is certainly valid, but remember that the day before the 911 attacks DOD Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced missing Pentagon funds. Of course this news was buried deep below the debris from the Pentagon. Government push back from Mick West claims that “Millions, maybe even billions of dollars “go missing” after a fashion due to accounting discrepancies – and perhaps even some illegal actions. But it certainly is not $2,300 Billion.” His arguments in Debunked: Rumsfeld says $2.3 Trillion missing from the Pentagon does not vindicate the ridiculous contentions of Rumsfeld.

“The technology revolution has transformed organizations across the private sector, but not ours, not fully, not yet. We are, as they say, tangled in our anchor chain. Our financial systems are decades old. According to some estimates, we cannot track $2.3 trillion in transactions. We cannot share information from floor to floor in this building because it’s stored on dozens of technological systems that are inaccessible or incompatible.

“An increasingly impatient Congress has demanded that the Army achieve “audit readiness” for the first time by Sept. 30, 2017, so that lawmakers can get a better handle on military spending. But Pentagon watchdogs think that may be mission impossible, and for good reason…

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), the behemoth Indianapolis-based agency that provides finance and accounting services for the Pentagon’s civilian and military members, could not provide adequate documentation for $6.5 trillion worth of year-end adjustments to Army general fund transactions and data.

The DFAS has the sole responsibility for paying all DOD military and personnel, retirees and annuitants, along with Pentagon contractors and vendors. The agency is also in charge of electronic government initiatives, including within the Executive Office of the President, the Department of Energy and the Departing of Veterans Affairs.”

“While there is nothing in the IG’s report specifying that the money has been stolen, the mere fact that the Pentagon can’t account for how it spent the money reveals a potentially far greater problem than simple theft alone.”

Somehow this statement is reminiscent of (it depends what you mean as stolen), which should be far more obvious than defining the word IS . . . as used by Bill Clinton.

The NeoCon empire supporter and “blatantly interventionist Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) argued that Paul’s plan would threaten the military just months after Congress succeeded in passing a significant increase in military spending that many Republicans regarded as crucial. “This budget throws our military in a ditch, and I am tired of doing that,” Graham said. “It is a joke. Now is not the time to be funny. Now is the time to be serious.”

If Congress really wanted to get serious they would debate and vote to put into law a responsible budget that funds a rational foreign policy of defending our own borders.

Senator Paul’s bill would address the true risk to national security, that being the government debt. Now that Congress has abandoned Sequestration, the warmongers like Graham refuse to scale back on their global foreign policy for world dominance. For informative links on the Missing Money, review The Solari Report.

The only positive outcome from the Viet Nam War was the ending of the draft. The unforeseen consequence encouraged a withdrawal of public concern about expanded foreign adventures and deployments. The hard money costs of such campaigns developed little populace traction. Playing upon the heart strings to support the troops and ignore the military costs is a fatal mistake.

“DoD owes accountability to the American people, Norquist said, adding that transparency, accountability and business process reform are some of the benefits of the financial statement audit.

And as for transparency, the audit improves the quality of DoD’s financial statements and underlying data available to the public, including a reliable picture of its assets, liabilities and spending, he said.

DoD Comptroller (David L. Norquist) said the DoD consolidated audit is likely to be the largest audit ever undertaken, and that it comprises more than 24 standalone audits in an overarching consolidated audit.”

If you believe this effort will end the $600 toilet seat, try using an outhouse to do your duty.

About The Author

SARTRE is the pen name of James Hall, a reformed, former political operative. This pundit’s formal instruction in History, Philosophy and Political Science served as training for activism, on the staff of several politicians and in many campaigns. A believer in authentic Public Service, independent business interests were pursued in the private sector. As a small business owner and entrepreneur, several successful ventures expanded opportunities for customers and employees. Speculation in markets, and international business investments, allowed for extensive travel and a world view for commerce. He is retired and lives with his wife in a rural community. “Populism” best describes the approach to SARTRE’s perspective on Politics. Realities, suggest that American Values can be restored with an appreciation of “Pragmatic Anarchism.” Reforms will require an Existential approach. “Ideas Move the World,” and SARTRE’S intent is to stir the conscience of those who desire to bring back a common sense, moral and traditional value culture for America. Not seeking fame nor fortune, SARTRE’s only goal is to ask the questions that few will dare … Having refused the invites of an academic career because of the hypocrisy of elite’s, the search for TRUTH is the challenge that is made to all readers. It starts within yourself and is achieved only with your sincere desire to face Reality. So who is SARTRE? He is really an ordinary man just like you, who invites you to join in on this journey. Visit his website at http://batr.org.